Melissa Markowitz - Volunteering puts smiles on gaces

This high school sophomore is an outstanding student, multi-sport athlete, joyful to be around, a role model for those who are around her and a generous volunteer, earning more than 300-service hours since starting high school.

The ambitious student begins her day at 5 a.m., taking Honors and Advanced Placement classes at Fort Pierce Central High School. After school, Melissa heads to St. Lucie Lanes for two-hours of bowling practice on Mondays and Wednesdays, or to her bowling matches on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

On the weekends, you can find Melissa volunteering at Legacy Dance Studio, as a teacher's assistant for the Junior and Senior classes.

"I help kids with their turns and dance techniques. I also choreograph a new dance for each class every month. I did this all summer long, and then I would practice my solo dance for competition," remarked Melissa, who has been dancing for 13-years.

Also this summer, Melissa started volunteering for Hope's Closet 4 Children, averaging four to five hours of work each week sorting and organizing clothes, which would be given to those who visited the store.

Jill Todd, of Port St. Lucie, who has gotten to know Melissa through connections at the Legacy Dance Studio and as a fellow volunteer at Hope's Closet, commented, "Melissa is a true role model for my daughter Sara who danced on the Legacy Dance Team with her. She always encourages Sara, not only with her dance, but to do well in school, too. Melissa is a very positive girl; she is always smiling and upbeat. When working with her at Hope's Closet, she was a pure joy, always willing to pitch in, do what is needed, and help people - again, always with a smile and positive attitude."

Melissa's commitment to service can also be indicated by how she became a volunteer for Sarah's Kitchen.

"I was just driving by and saw sign in front of the churches, and went in and talked to them," remarked Melissa.

She now volunteers three-hours a week for the facility that seeks to welcome and feed those in our community who are hungry. An additional five-hours per week is dedicated to volunteering for Mustard Seed Ministries, where she sorts and organizes the donated clothing for the thrift store.

"I volunteer because it makes me feel good to see people smile when you do something nice for them," says Melissa. "Everyone should volunteer because you have to give in life in order to get back. An hour of your time here and there can really make a difference in someone's day."

These are the aspects that make Melissa a Luminescent and a role model for us all.